Device for stretching sheep-skin on musical instruments



(NoModeL) I O. ROHLPS. Device for Stretching Sheep Skin 0n Musical Instruments.

Patented Dec. 14,1880.

V v I I I 306766093 Jay/5M UNITED STATES PATENT OFFIQEQ CHARLES ROHLFS, OF BROOKLYN, NEYV YORK.

DEVICE FOR STRETCHING SHEEP-SKIN ON MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 235,381, dated December 14, 1880, Application filed September :25, 1880. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that 1, CHARLES Bonus, a citizen of the United States, residing at Brooklyn, in the county of Kings and State of New York, have invented anew and useful Improvement in Devices for Stretching Sheep-Skin on Musical Instruments, of which the following is a specification.

My invention consists in having two concentric metal rings, with which the skin may be stretched and held in place by means of the screws connected with them, independent of help from other parts of the instrument. I obtain this result by combining in construction two flanged rings, over the smaller of which the skin is stretched, and by the larger and its screws held in place.

In the drawings, Figure l is a sectional View through the diameter, representing the position and relation of parts preparatory to stretching the skin, which has been previously soaked in water to admit of stretching. Fig. 2 is the same section, showing the position of parts after the pressure has been applied by the screws E on the ring 0, and, in turn, on the wire ring G, and so to the skin H. Fig. 3 is an exterior view.

The operation and method of construction of the device is as follows: In Fig. 1, Fis ametallic -flanged ring, which I fasten to the metallic or wooden hoop or rim A, permanently or otherwise, the flangeB of said ring F being smaller in diameter than the hoop or rim A.

Gris a wire ring, about which the sheep-skin H has been folded preparatory to putting in place the ring 0. The ring 0 being in place, screw-bolts E areinserted through holes in the ring 0, when they find correspoinling receptacles for the threaded ends of the bolts in the ring F, and as they are screwed into the ring F, pressure is brought to bear on the ring 0, and, in turn, on the wire ring Gr, and so to the skin H, until the desired pressure has been obtained to stretch the skin.

What I claim as my invention is 1. The combination of the hoop or rim A and the ring F with the concentric flanged metal pressure-ring O and its outer rim, D.

2. The combination of the hoop or rim A, the ring F and its flange B, the flanged ring 0, and its outer rim, D, with the straining-screws E, arranged and adapted to pass through from the top surface of the ring O to suitable receptacles for the threaded ends of the bolts or screws E in the ring F, all substantially as and for the purpose specified.

CHARLES ltOHLFS.

Witnesses J OHN BINGHAM, EGBERT MAoY. 

